To feel disheartened with weight loss

[Princessbroodypants]

Late twenties with 2 DCs aged 1 and 2.5. I’ve struggled with motivation for weight loss since DC was born but 2 weeks ago I decided to get back into a routine. For the last two weeks I have walked 15k steps every day, go to the gym three times a week and do a mix of cardio and weights, I’ve been eating fruit and fat free yogurt for breakfast, a cereal bar and a protein shake for lunch and then a calorie controlled dinner. I’m constantly starving and my calorie intake is around 1200 a day. I’m drinking 2Ls water every day.
The sum total of my weight loss…absolutely nothing! I’m feeling really disheartened as when I was doing the same level of exercise but eating whatever the hell I wanted I still didn’t gain weight! So I thought by changing my diet I’d actively lose weight! I definitely have weight to lose as I’m overweight but I’m feeling so negative about it after two weeks and the scale not budging!

Fat free yoghurt, cereal bar and protein shake are all processed. Choose full fat real food. It causes insulin resistance I’ve just discovered this and the weight has fallen off me. I have battled with me weight for years, and now I’m back in a size 10/12. Read ultra processed people, it will change your life!

1200 calories is unsustainable. That’s the calorie requirement of a small child. Get a tdee calculator and get a proper calorie allowance then track what you are having. I lost 4stone on 1800 calories last year.

Download the NutraCheck app.
It's free for 7 days, I'm not sure if you can still use it to a certain extent after or not anymore, I'm a yearly, laxed, member, but it'll let you input your details, give a rough calorie allowance and then you can diary your food for those 7 days.

Eat foods you enjoy but choose wisely.

Agree with above: cut out the sugary and processed stuff. Focus on whole foods, high protein, medium fat. Eggs and avocado would be much better for breakfast; meat or fish and vegetables or (nice) salad for lunch. You’ll stay fuller and it’s a lot more fulfilling than bland shakes. Lots of women find lower carb helps - less bread and pasta, more sweet potatoes, root vegetables and pulses as sources of carbs.

Are you weighing and measuring your portions and logging everything you eat? It’s really common for people to think they’re eating X number of calories based on what they think is a portion of Y or Z but their actual portion is twice as big as the recommended one; or to “forget” about all the little morsels they eat here and there throughout the day which add up.

But don’t get disheartened and give up. Hormonal fluctuations and water retention at different times of the month (and even throughout the day) mean that sometimes it takes more than a couple of weeks to see a result - and ultimately, a healthy weight and diet are a lifestyle not a fad. Once you have a good diet and fitness regime as a habit, that’s most of the battle.

Take measurements/photos too to track your progress

It's only been two weeks! Keep going and you'll see progress soon.

I disagree with the PP about 1200 calories being too little - sadly if you are short that's the right amount! You don't say how tall you are.

I disagree with the PP about 1200 calories being too little - sadly if you are short that's the right amount!

This is very true 😔

@Princessbroodypants - it is sooo frustrating. The only thing that works for me is low carb because;

• I love meat, eggs, cheese and cream
• I Can still have Chinese and Indian take away (satay chicken / chicken korma but no rice or nan - I have it with cauliflower rice)
• I can’t eat a lot of fruit /drink fruit juice as it gives me dreadful heartburn - fruit is basically a no-no on a low carb diet
• after about 5 days to a week, your appetite really goes so you have to actually remember to eat!

BUT - it’s not for the faint hearted and you need to be really strict about not going over your carbs - if you do, you are essentially just eating a very high calorie diet!!

Lunch out of the house can also be challenging as you can’t have a sandwich/roll.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Edited to add - try lifting weights to increase your metabolism

Agree with others re avoiding processed and stick to whole foods. Salads with chicken breast or egg or fish, homemade soups (if you have the time - I bulk make when I feel in the mood!). Raw veg, brown rice etc. Cut down the carbs. Cut out alcohol and I find even fizzy diet drinks makes a difference.

You’ll do it!

And do have the odd treat - otherwise it’s thank less and unsustainable!

Quick update, I’m 5ft 9 and 14st but all of the weight is on my stomach so I constantly look pregnant and hate every item of clothing in my wardrobe

Too early to get disheartened. My monies on water weight. With that level of excercise and those calories, unless you have an undiagnosed health condition, you are guaranteed to lose weight. Regardless of sugar, carbs, whatever, whatever, you can't fail to. Give it another week. Reduce salt if you're having a lot of that.

It will drop. Don’t give up!